Mirza Ghalib Biography and Works.

One of the best-known Urdu poets of all times, Mirza Ghalib is a name synonymous with Urdu poetry. Popularly known as Ghalib, Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan was born on December 27, 1796.

He wrote several ‘ghazals’ during his lifetime, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways.

Born in Agra, his father died in a battle when Ghalib was five years old. He was, then, looked after by his uncle, who also died when Ghalib was ten years old.

The death of his father and uncle during his early youth left Ghalib with no male-dominant figures. He then moved to Delhi.

There are no known records of Ghalib’s formal education, although it was known that friends in Delhi were some of the most intelligent minds of the time.

He was married into a family of nobles, at the age of thirteen around 1810. He had seven children, none of whom survived.

Ghalib’s fame came to him posthumously. He had himself had said during his lifetime that though his age ignored his greatness, his work would be recognized by later generations.

He also is arguably the most ‘written about’ among the Urdu poets.

The first complete English translation of Ghalib’s love poems (ghazals) was written by Dr. Sarfaraz K Niazi, titled ‘Love Sonnets of Ghalib’, which was published in India and Pakistan.

Ghalib died in Delhi on February 15, 1869.

Trivia

Ghalib never worked as such for his livelihood and lived on state patronage, credit or generosity of his friends.